Following ratification by the state of Virginia, The Bill of Rights became law on December 15, 1791. Comprised of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, they were written by James Madison in response to requests from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties. The First Amendment reads as follows:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Learn about the long history of dissent in America by checking out some of the following resources available in the Library's collection.

Every morning A wakes in a different person's body, in a different person's life, learning over the years to never get too attached, until he wakes up in the body of Justin and falls in love with Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon.

Autumn has arrived! Fall colors, apples, pumpkins cider, doughnuts, and much more! If you want to check out the beautiful foliage in Michigan - and beyond - use this handy guide to get the best views. (For a refresher course on why leaves change color in the Fall check here.) Then come home and cook up some yummy Fall treats, and relax with some interesting crafts - or even a good book! Or just watch some football! Or hockey! Whatever you do, have fun. The possibilities are endless!

Learn to use Google Maps to plan a trip, create custom maps and directions for special events like parties and weddings, and more in this hands-on class. A Google account is needed to save or customize maps. Registration required.

Upcoming sessions

When it comes to apples, most of us think of Granny Smith, Gala, or Red Delicious. However, farmers once grew thousands of varieties of apples. Today, most of these old heirloom varieties are extremely rare, and only grown by small handful of farms. We would like to invite you to experience the very special tastes and textures of these native fruits that are no longer available in grocery stores. Join Tammy Coxen, of Tammy's Tastings for a special heirloom apple tasting Thursday October 26 at 7:00 PM.

This program is for patrons 18 years and older. Registration begins September 25.

Seventh-grader Lewis "Shoe" Blake from the Tuscarora Reservation has a new friend, George Haddonfield from the local Air Force base, but in 1975 upstate New York there is a lot of tension and hatred between Native Americans and whites--and Lewis is not sure that he can rely on friendship.

Seventeen-year-old Sticky lives to play basketball at school and at Lincoln Rec Center in Los Angeles and is headed for the pros, but he is unaware of the many dangers-- including his own past-- that threaten his dream.

This September PBS will present Ken Burns' epic ten-part, 18-hour documentary on the Vietnam War. Written by historian Geoffrey C. Ward, and including archival footage and historic television broadcasts, it was six years in the making.

The Handmaid's Tale is the #1 New York Times bestseller and seminal work of speculative fiction from the Booker Prize-winning author Margaret Atwood. It is now a Hulu series starring Elizabeth Moss, Samira Wiley, and Joseph Fiennes. Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the days before, when she lived and made love with her husband Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now.... Funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing, The Handmaid's Tale is at once scathing satire, dire warning, and literary tour de force. CPL's Lunch and a Book Group gave this title 3.5 stars out of 5. This kit contains 10 copies of the title.